Bicycle riding

Pedal mettle

First annual Liberty Bike Festival and Rock4Bikes concert promote pedal power and Rail Trail project

By RICHARD A. ROSS

SWAN LAKE, NY — Simply put, bikes rock!

“There’s nothing like being able to travel under your own power,” said Alex Goodman, of Wurtsboro, prior to setting off on a 25-mile bike road tour as part of the first annual Liberty Bike Festival and Rock4Bikes Concert on June 21, a day-long series of fun-filled events, staged by LibertyBikeTrails.org, aimed at promoting bike riding in the Liberty community.

With gasoline prices going through the roof, pedal power’s economic benefit further supports an activity that already abounds with positives. “It’s nice to be able to have the time to take in gorgeous scenery,” added Goodman, who was one of 70 riders who took off under their own power on a variety of nifty bikes to travail either a five-, 15-, 25- or 65-mile course under gorgeous skies and balmy temperatures for a day of aesthetic pleasure and healthy cardiovascular activity.

Following their joyful jaunts, riders returned to Walnut Mountain Park to eat great food, provided by Liberty’s LoCascio’s and Prepacton Natural Foods of Downsville, and to rock to the tuneful renderings of Sofmoure, a local band, and Kill by Inches, who hail from Queens. Kill by Inches played a song that will soon be featured on an upcoming episode of the TV series “Smallville.” Strangers Wasted, a band from New Brunswick, NJ, closed the day with original songs and hilarious banter by lead singer Brian Hawkins.

Bike riders of all ages began to show up as early as 7:00 a.m. to register and embark on the courses artfully planned by Nick Piatek, the executive director of LibertyBikeTrail.org, an independent group which he and his wife, Marcy, created to fill a need the couple felt was lacking in the Liberty community following their move from Orange County.

Using their website, posters and newspaper press releases, LibertyBikeTrail.org promoted the first annual festival and its partnership with Liberty’s Community Development Corporation. Their collaborative effort is also sponsoring the development of the Liberty Rail Trail, the old O&W rail trail located in the Village of Liberty.

LibertyBikeTrail.org came into being in January 2007. It has already started a kids bike club and is working on its organizational goals “to promote community bike trails, make residents aware of the benefits of bicycles, hold events where all skill levels and all ages can participate and promote bicycle riding to the youth of Sullivan County.”

Based in Liberty but reaching out to bikers, hikers and nature enthusiasts from far and wide, LibertyBikeTrail.org seeks to draw visitors to the area, which they foresee as an attractive nexus for healthy and environmentally friendly activities, such as those offered at the Liberty Bike Festival.

“Our efforts will make the area healthier, bring in eco-tourism, support local business, build close-knit communities, reduce pollution and, best of all, bring outdoor fun to everyone,” proclaims the group’s website.

Attracted by such positives, riders such as Peter North, a student at Livingston Manor Central School, Cheryl and Travis Roeder from Callicoon, Rich Rudzinski from St. James on Long Island and Mark Rodman from Sayville rolled in for the festivities.

Sporting matching folding bikes that make it a cinch to bring their bikes anywhere without a hassle, Jon Rubin and his wife, Gail Vachon, arrived from Westbrookville. They saw the day’s events as a chance to continue a love of bike riding that began in childhood and resumed with gusto five years ago.

How much do people love to ride? Goodman, who used to own a bike store in Suffern named “Spokes,” is back on his bike after a scary mishap three years ago that resulted in a fall in Glen Wild that fractured his C-2 and C-3 vertebrae. He’s now more cautious but no less enthusiastic.

Statistically speaking, bike riding is far less hazardous than riding in a car. More than 46,000 motorists die in automobile accidents annually as compared to under 800 cyclists. Needless to say, however, riding a bike safely is furthered by wearing a helmet and following well established protocols for preventing mishaps.

Gwen Nieves, a sixth grader from Liberty Middle School, got the concert started with her jaw-dropping rendition of the National Anthem. The bands followed suit as people listened and danced.

The countdown for next year’s festival, which will be held on June 20, 2009, is already ticking away at the group’s website. The event is bound to be even larger and more dynamic than this year’s kickoff event. Visit LibertyBikeTrail.org for further information about upcoming activities or to become a member.

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of pictures from the day-long event.